Thursday, December 16, 2010

After having a little procedure done at the hospital, I've been at home feeling quite wonderful this evening. I've been wanting to write a bit, but was a bit cautious due to the pain medication...finally, I decided that's exactly why I ought to write, because I'm nice and legally high.

I have a great friend that is one of the most disciplined people I've ever met in my life. He's a great father, and has an excellent job, doing something important. He has a great wife and great kids... we've enjoyed getting to know them over the past 10-20 years. I'd like to tell him that he's a selfish son-of-a-bitch and that nobody has the right to a private life above all else in life...and I really don't care what the fuck you think about it personally...we all have responsibilities and talking to your wife about important shit is one of those responsibilities. You signed up for it when you bought her a ring...you didn't have to do that...but you did...you wrote the check, now cash it you bastard. I love you, like a brother, so act like a man.

I have another friend that hurt one of my other friends pretty badly. He didn't put him in the hospital or anything, but just became one of those guys that completely ignores his role in a hurtful situation. I love this guy, he's like a brother to me...good dad, good husband and all that... I'd like to tell him that there isn't anyone innocent, not one...just like the Bible says...so just look at yourself inside this situation...and the one before it....and the one before that one....and realize the common denominator in each of these cluster fucks was YOU. I love you, I forgive you, but you gotta own up to the fact that you've been a fuck-tard man...and you hurt other people...stop being a douche and learn how to confess, apologize and ask for forgiveness.

I also know one of the coolest guys I've ever met, and I really enjoy hanging out with him, working with him, goofing off with him and everything else that goes with life... I'd like to tell him that there can only be so many huge-ass houses and silver lexus automobiles in this town. Success ain't where you live and what you drive...the SIGNATURE OF OUR GENERATION has become that we've defined our own success...so quit chasing success as defined by 1985...listen to your wife, she doesn't want a McMansion in the Hills or a McLexus...she wants to carve out a family in this life as only you guys can. You have a unique signature in life with your kids, so just carve it wherever you like...quit being driven by invisible winds swinging around from 25 years ago telling you where to live and what to drive damnit. YOU, are what makes you cool...don't forget it.

As for me...you probably know by now that I'm a symmetry and balance kind of guy... I do the best I can to stand in front of a mirror, naked and ask myself questions...like "what are you being a total asshole about to your wife that you can't quite recognize yet?" or "Will you ever be able to live your life without tobacco, you pussy, can you stand up, look yourself in the eye and tell yourself 'no' once in a while?"

So, over Christmas this year, as I take some time off...I'll be giving my wife and kids a present that hopefully will keep on giving...I plan on taking stock of my life and inventory to see what needs to happen for me to be a better man, father, and husband.

God gave me the gift of being a masochist, so the least I can do is help my family benefit while I enjoy the pain.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

At 10:36 AM on Friday, November 26th, 2010, I embarked upon a golfing odyssey with my 52 year old brother, my 20 year old niece, and my 7 year old son. What follows is something of an account of what might have happened that day...I'll let you pick fact from fiction, that's a bit more fun anyway.

7:15 AM...during slumber, I roll over to find another cool spot on my pillow, I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. My son remains perfectly still, as I roll over to look at him...sitting cross legged, with 2 and 1/2 layers of clothing on, in his bed, with his snowboarding cap (which I learned is a stocking hat with a tiny bill)...he's patiently waiting the 9:45 aM departure time. I go back to sleep.

We played fairly well, I personally was playing much better than I anticipated...no windows broken, no cursing...all was well and good. However, between the four of us, the two impatient fathers and the not-so-lightning-quick progeny...we wound up falling behind in our slot...with plenty of golfers behind us.

11:12 AM. Hole #4 I hit my tee shot while not looking at my ball...it "felt" like it went straight up. None of us can find it...so I hit a provisional, which I do see as it makes a hard right around the fairway bunker and lands with the grace of a wounded goose in the trees. [blood pressure begins to increase...see Psycho Golfing Entry a few weeks ago].

11:15 AM. Hole #4 Fairway. Find first ball, miraculously deposited in fairway by The Lord. I always knew He had my back. Hit green. Make putt. What we call a "Worst to First Birdie". I'm amazed, happy, and a bit confounded as to how that all happened. My brother three putts...which is just the golf world equalizing itself back into equilibrium.

11:20 AM. We let the group (#1) behind us play through. I feel as though I'm doing pretty well with the slow play (see previous hole). I remind myself that we are here to have fun and we have all day.

11:45 AM. We let the group (#2) behind us play through. It is Mr. Miyagi and friends. NOTE: Asian golfers are the most appropriate and polite golfers I have ever been around. After speed putting (which they knocked their shots pretty close), two of them apologized to us for our slow play and actually sprinted back to their carts.

2:30 PM Hole # 13. Malcolm has a knee on the green and is spinning himself around like a break dancer. This increases my blood pressure, but I'm unclear as to exactly why...he's having the time of his life...but it bothers me because he's not being a perfect little golfer.

2:45 PM Hole #14. Malcolm requests permission to hit his ball over the creek...which means he's GOING to hit it INTO the creek...but he does ask. I lose golf balls all the time, this doesn't bother me...too much. He fires two of them dead center into the creek, which is only about 5 feet wide. He looks at me. "Well, that's not too bad, you hit the second one pretty hard". "Yeah, I'll drop on the other side"...he says with a smile.

2:46 PM Hole #14. I realize why I'm here.

I'm here with my boy. He's having the time of his life, playing golf with his daddy, his uncle, and his cousin. He wants nothing other than to line up and play with us, feeling like he belongs. He's not a pretender, he's the real deal. He has no problem plunking two balls right in the water. Doesn't phase him. He's playing golf with his daddy, his uncle, and his cousin...and there's nothing that can derail his day.

G.K. Chesterton once wrote that God is younger than mankind. Repetition only becomes dull to Adults, because we grow up. Children can do the same thing, watch the same show, play the same game, over and over again...and wake up and do it again tomorrow. Chesterton relates that mental picture to God overseeing the sunrise and sunset every day...it never gets old.

Malcolm was in that wonderful spot that children go to when their world becomes perfect for a little while. He was insulated, he was protected, he was unashamed...he was joy.

As for me, I almost missed it. But, perhaps the prayer I prayed found the ears of the Ancient One, when I asked to be shown something I'm thankful for...that I've missed in the past.

The utter joy and satisfaction of playing really slow golf with a 7 year old boy that holds my heart wherever he goes.

About Me

I'm a stay at home while I work dad. My wonderful Dr. Wife sees kids of all shapes, sizes and colors, so I manage a couple of my favorite kids, then work, then manage those kids, then sleep...and do it again. I fly around the country for work sometimes, I'm not sure what happens to those kids when I do...but they manage.